Normally, apparently, the birth rate goes down during a recession, because financial and job insecurity aren't the kind of environments that encourage a couple to throw away the condoms. But not this time.

Despite the longest recession in 40 years, rising unemployment and falling house prices - factors that might reasonably be considered a deterrent to expanding families - many couples seem to be behaving differently.

So what's changed? Interestingly, the theory is that, with this recession coinciding with a period in which it's more usual than ever for both partners to work, it's being seen as a good time to go through maternity leave... there's simply less to lose.

Recession digression 37 - soon everything really will be a pound [January 11, 2010]

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